How to Compare Health Insurance Plans in Virginia

Finding the best health insurance is as vital as finding the best doctors. In Virginia, there is a wide array of HMO and PPO plans with many choices in deductible amounts and co-pay requirements. You can compare the plans through a number of websites and information resources.

Instructions

• 1

  Use comparison websites. There are a number of websites that compare the major health insurance plans that are available in the area of Virginia in which you live. These sites include eHealthInsurance.com, VaMedicalPlans.com and HealthInsurance.org. Each of the sites shows the plans side-by-side, including the insurance rate, deductible, co-pay amount, coverage, plan type, co-insurance percentage and about every other detail you would wish to view.

• 2

  Check the insurance companies directly. Health insurance providers in Virginia include Celtic Insurance Company, AARP Insured By Aetna, Optima Health Insurance Company, Kaiser Mid-Atlantic, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of VA, and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.

• 3

  Educate yourself about the Virginia health insurance system. It's one thing to look at the numbers and another thing to understand what exactly these numbers are referring to. Virginia Health Information is an organization recognized as a key source for health data reporting in Virginia. Check out the organization's guide for consumers on health insurance options in the state. The site also lists health care prices, HMO reports, and links to Medicare and Medicaid applications.

• 4

  Make sure your doctors are in the network. It doesn't matter if a plan is cheaper if you can't go see your regular doctors. If you don't already have a primary care physician, you should consider finding a doctor you like before you get health insurance. Ask for recommendations from friends and check sites like Angieslist.com and ConsumerReports.org for feedback and ratings.